Bridge.



w Patented June 5, I900.

r. WALKER.

BRIDGE.

(Application filed Mar. 15, 1900.)

(No Model.)

lllllllllllllllfllli d 9 Ti UNI Tan STATES PATENT Onrics.

lVILLIS F. WALKER, OF CIIARLESTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.

BRIDGE.

. SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,281, dated .iune 5, 1960;

I Application filed March 15, 1900. Serial No. 8,780. (No model.) 1

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIS F. WALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charlestown, in the county of Jefferson and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and useful Bridge, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bridges or bridge construction; and the object of the same is to provide simple and effective means for supporting the flooring in such manner as to permit the replacement of any one of the floorplanks and also to facilitate the application of the said planks in the first instance, the improved means for supporting the flooring also serving as wheel-guards, as well as joists or stringers.

The invention consists of the construction and arrangement of parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a bridge structure embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the crossbeams of a bridge and a part of the flooring, showing the improved device in the organization. Fig. 3 is a sectional View of a modifled form of the structure.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several Views.

The numeral 1, Figs. 1 and 2, designates a cross beam of ordinary construction and which has suitable panel framework or structure 2 connected to opposite projecting eX- tremities thereof, the said extremities being cut down and supplied with the usual appurtenances for providing attaching means for the framework or structure. As Will be understood, these beams are arranged at regular intervals, and the number of the same employed will depend upon the length or dimension of the bridge, and bolted thereto and rising therefrom adjacent the portions out down is a composite upright 3, consisting of a plate 4, having upper and lower reversely-arranged pairs of angle-plates 5, which produce an I formation or a short length of I beam. Resting on and bolt-edto the upper portion of each upright 8 is.the lower flange 6 of the Z-bar 7, which has its upper flange 8 projected outwardly. The floor-planks 9 are rested on the flange 6 and secured by spikes 10, Which are driven through the stem or shank of the bar 7 at regular intervals and longitudinally into the ends of the planks 9. Intermediately the planks 9 are supported by I-beams 11, also bolted to the cross-beam 1 and having spikes 12 driven. through the planks upset against one side of the upper flange to thereby prevent warpage or displacement of the planks at points intermediate of their length. The general features of flooring construction may be varied at will and the most approved methods employed of firmly fastening the planks at intermediate points.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modification of the struc ture and comprises a channel-iron 13, to the inner lower portion of which an angle-iron 14 is riveted, the said channel-iron being held on the cross-beams 1 in a manner similar tothe Z-bar 7, heretofore described. The upper horizontal member of the angle-iron'14 provides a seat or bearing for the ends of the planks 9 of the flooring,and the latter are held in connection with the channel-iron by spikes 10, as before explained in connection with the 'Z-bar structure, said spikes being driven through the stem or shank of thechanneliron at regular intervals and longitudinally into the ends of the said planks. It will be observed that the channel-iron 13 is disposed in such manner that both flanges will stand on the outside and the portion of the stem or Web of said iron above the plane of the flooring and the top flange will produce an effective wheel-guard.

The-stems or webs of the Z-bars and the channel-irons are formed with a line of holes at a proper elevation to receive the spikes 10, and the essential feature of the invention resides in the provision of wheel-guards at opposite sides of the flooring and the convenience afforded in positioning the planks, as well as the facility with which they can be removed when desired. spikes 10 entering the ends of the planks in a longitudinal direction and by the use of a simple pry the planks can be quickly detached by pulling away from the spikesor permitting the latter to be disconnected from the plank ends at the time the latter are elevated or forced upwardly and without requir- In view of the said ing an individual removal of the several spikes. The vertical stems or webs of the 2- bars and channel-irons positively projecting above the plane of the floor-planks a predetermined distance eflfeetively serve as wheelguards, as well as means for supporting the =beams or other supports, of opposite Z-bars floor-planks against endwise movement. In addition to their function as wheel-guards and flooring-supports the Z-bars and channel-irons also serve as stringers and rein force or strengthen the bridge structure. It'Will also be understood that the I-beams 11 will be employed in connection with the modified with cross-beams or other supports, of oppo- 5 site floor-supporting beams held thereon and having inwardly and outwardly projecting horizontal flange. portions, and floor-planks disposed on the inwardly-projecting flange portions. and secured by spikes driven horizontally through from the exterior of the beams into the ends of the planksv in alongitudinal direction.

2. In a bridge structure, the combination with cross-beams, of a floor-supporting beam held thereon and having inwardly and outwardly projecting horizontal flange portions,

floor-planks having their ends disposed on the inwardly-projecting horizontal flange portudinally into the ends of said planks.

3. In a bridge, the combination with crossheld on the said beams or supports, and flooring members secured to the Z-bars, the latter projecting above the plane of the flooring members and forming wheel-guards and also serving as stringers.

t. The combination with a bridge-flooring, of Z-bars at opposite sides thereof having portions rising above the plane of the same to form wheel-guards.

5. The combination withflooring members, of Z-bars in which said flooring members are placed at opposite ends, spikes driven through the stems or webs of the Z-bars 1ongitudi nallyinto the ends of the said members, the bars providing opposite; guards, and means forsupporting the said Z-bars.

6. A flooring or road-bed structu e, combined with a Z-bar extending along the side thereof and secured thereto, the stem or W81) of the bar projecting above the plane of the said flooring or road-bed structure toprovide a wheel-guard.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIS F. WALKER.

Witnesses:

M. PERRY HAHN, D. E. SoUInEs. 

